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Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 III

Portability
62
Imaging
58
Features
51
Overall
55
Leica X Vario front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III front
Portability
89
Imaging
51
Features
77
Overall
61

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 III Key Specs

Leica X Vario
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12500
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-70mm (F3.5-6.4) lens
  • 680g - 133 x 73 x 95mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Succeeded the Leica X2
Sony RX100 III
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-70mm (F1.8-2.8) lens
  • 290g - 102 x 58 x 41mm
  • Launched May 2014
  • Superseded the Sony RX100 II
  • New Model is Sony RX100 IV
Photography Glossary

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 III Overview

Following is a in depth overview of the Leica X Vario versus Sony RX100 III, both Large Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Leica and Sony. The image resolution of the X Vario (16MP) and the RX100 III (20MP) is relatively similar but the X Vario (APS-C) and RX100 III (1") feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The X Vario was launched 11 months prior to the RX100 III so they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Large Sensor Compact).

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise view of how the X Vario matches up versus the RX100 III with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Leica X Vario over the Sony RX100 III

 X Vario RX100 III 

Reasons to pick Sony RX100 III over the Leica X Vario

 RX100 III X Vario 
LaunchedMay 2014June 2013More modern by 11 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1229k920kClearer screen (+309k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Leica X Vario and Sony RX100 III

 X Vario RX100 III 
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 III Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Leica X Vario features outer dimensions of 133mm x 73mm x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7") along with a weight of 680 grams (1.50 lbs) and the Sony RX100 III has specifications of 102mm x 58mm x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6") with a weight of 290 grams (0.64 lbs).

Check the Leica X Vario versus Sony RX100 III in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the X Vario compared to the RX100 III.

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 III size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the X Vario and RX100 III is 62 and 89 respectively.

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 III top view buttons comparison

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 III Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes purely by going over specs. The image below should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the X Vario and RX100 III.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The X Vario featuring a bigger sensor will make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Sony RX100 III will deliver greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs far more aggressively. The more aged X Vario is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 III sensor size comparison

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 III Screen and ViewFinder

Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Leica X Vario
Portrait photography with Sony RX100 III
74
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
64
you can focus manually
great flash sync speed (1/2,000s)
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Leica X Vario Street photography advice
Sony RX100 III Street photography advice
53
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
no image stabilization
heavier than average in class (680 grams)
85
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition (290 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Leica X Vario as a Sports photography camera
Sony RX100 III as a Sports photography camera
54
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good battery life (450 CIPA)
max fps very slow (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
lack of phase detect AF
65
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
includes tracking focus
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Leica X Vario Travel photography details
Sony RX100 III Travel photography details
56
good battery life (450 per charge)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (680g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
85
lighter than competition (290g)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
relatively wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Leica X Vario as a Landscape photography camera
Sony RX100 III as a Landscape photography camera
61
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
nice screen size (3")
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (450 CIPA)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no image stabilization
lack of Time Lapse function
73
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
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Vlogging Comparison

Leica X Vario Vlogging features
Sony RX100 III Vlogging features
25
rather wide (28mm)
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of external mic port
heavier than average in class (680g)
80
relatively wide (24mm)
good maximum aperture (f1.8)
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (290g)
lack of mic jack
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Leica X Vario vs Sony RX100 III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Leica X Vario and Sony RX100 III
 Leica X VarioSony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III
General Information
Manufacturer Leica Sony
Model type Leica X Vario Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III
Category Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Released 2013-06-11 2014-05-15
Body design Large Sensor Compact Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz X
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1"
Sensor dimensions 23.6 x 15.8mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor area 372.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4928 x 3272 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 12500 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 125
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-70mm (2.5x) 24-70mm (2.9x)
Maximal aperture f/3.5-6.4 f/1.8-2.8
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Focal length multiplier 1.5 2.7
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 920 thousand dot 1,229 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.59x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 5.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Front Curtain, Rear Curtain, Slow sync, Studio -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/2000 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/24p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p/24p/120p), 1440 x 1080 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 680 grams (1.50 lbs) 290 grams (0.64 lbs)
Dimensions 133 x 73 x 95mm (5.2" x 2.9" x 3.7") 102 x 58 x 41mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 78 67
DXO Color Depth rating 23.4 22.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.7 12.3
DXO Low light rating 1320 495
Other
Battery life 450 images 320 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BP-DC8 NP-BX1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, self-portrait, continuous)
Time lapse shooting With downloadable app
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $2,950 $748